“-and now Plaid Stripes is utterly convinced that designer galoshes are the next big fashion trend. I mean, at least it’s more workable than the time she came up with clothes made of out spoons, but still,” Rarity said.
“Come on, Rarity, Plaid Stripe’s ideas ain’t that bad,” Applejack said. “Personally, Ah think designer galoshes are a great idea. Y’all could even design some real fancy matchin’ ponchos to go with ‘em so ponies’d be really prepared fer the rain.”
“I suppose I could do something like that and pass the whole thing off as an avant-garde experiment, a fashion meets practicality sort of thing,” Rarity mused. As Rarity continued mentally working out the details as to how she could transform Plaid Stripes latest suggestion into a workable concept, a panicked Rainbow Dash suddenly flew up behind her and Applejack.
“Do either of you guys know when Pinkie Pie’s supposed to get back from her Cheese Sandwich thing? Because we’re gonna need a Pinkie Pie Party for Fluttershy ASAP!” Rainbow Dash said.
“Why? Somethin’ happen with Fluttershy?” Applejack asked in alarm.
“It’s Zephyr Breeze,” Rainbow Dash replied, eliciting groans from both Applejack and Rarity. “It turns out Zephyr joined the guard because he wanted to use the signing bonus to help open a manestyling salon or something. But, since he washed out, he’s…moved back in with their parents. Again.”
“And Ah take it Fluttershy ain’t takin’ that news well,” Applejack replied.
“I’ve honestly never heard Fluttershy really angry scream before,” Rainbow Dash said. “It was actually kinda impressive, in a ‘holy hay I didn’t think a normal pony could make a sound like that’ way.”
“And you think one of Pinkie’s parties is the thing to improve her mood?” Rarity asked.
“It couldn’t hurt,” Rainbow Dash replied. “It would at least take her mind of the whole thing.”
“Well, Pinkie might not be around right now, but it ain’t like we can’t help cheer Fluttershy up ourselves.” Applejack said. “Do y’all have any idea where Fluttershy is right now?”
“Not really, Rainbow Dash admitted. “The last time I saw here was when she got the news about Zephyr back at her cottage, but she could be anywhere at this point.”
“Well then, what are we waiting for? Let’s find her before this Zephyr Breeze nonsense compels her to do something drastic,” Rarity said. Applejack and Rainbow Dash quickly voiced their agreement as the trio rushed off to locate their friend.
*********
As it turned out, locating Fluttershy proved to be a simpler matter than any of the three would have guessed. After only a few minutes of searching, Rainbow Dash spotted Fluttershy sitting outside of a local café. Wasting no time, Rainbow Dash quickly gathered Rarity and Applejack, and the three swiftly rushed over together.
The three friends arrived to find Fluttershy sitting at her table serenely sipping a cup of tea. “Hey, Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash said cautiously, as though she were afraid that saying the wrong thing could send her friend into another breakdown. “Are you doing okay?”
“Hmm? Oh yes, I’m doing fine,” Fluttershy replied before taking a deep breath. “Today really is a lovely day, isn’t it?”
“Um, yep, it sure is,” Applejack said nervously as she sidled over to Rarity. “As much as Ah’m glad Fluttershy ain’t havin’ a fit or nothin’, somethin’ about the way she’s actin’ seems a bit off. Calm is one thing, but Fluttershy seems more relaxed than somepony who just downed a jug of mah great uncle Scrumpy’s tonic,” Applejack whispered.
Rarity nodded before clearing her throat. “Fluttershy, darling, the reason we were looking for you is that we just heard the news about your brother and wanted to make certain you were alright.”
“Oh, that?” Fluttershy said with a smile. “I was a little upset earlier, but I’m fine now that everything’s being taken care of.”
“That’s good to…hang on, what exactly do y’all mean by it bein’ taken care of?” Applejack asked suspiciously.
“Well, I finally realized that I’m not really able to help Zephyr, at least not in the way he needs it right now. So, I found somepony else who could, and I think they’re gong to finally be able to get through to him,” Fluttershy replied.
“You finally found somepony who’s gonna be able to whip Zephyr Breeze into shape?” Rainbow Dash asked incredulously. “Who? And for that matter, how?”
“Well, I asked Moonwhisper to look into it, and it turns out that part of the season Zephyr was kicked out the way he was was because he never went through the guard’s basic training. If Zephyr gores through the training properly, then he’ll be able to reenlist, and it should also help him become a bit more responsible overall,” Fluttershy said.
“That kind of makes sense,” Rainbow Dash replied. “If half the stuff I’ve heard about the guard’s basic training is true, then they should definitely be able to do something with him. Or he’ll wimp and try to run away. Actually, that last part sounds a lot more likely. What are you going to do if that happens?”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’ve already thought about that and taken care of it. Zephyr Breeze is going to be getting some special attention to make certain he follows through with this completely,” Fluttershy said, her calm smile seeming increasingly unsettling to her friends. Before any of them could ask Fluttershy what exactly she meant, the answer came screaming down the street.
“LEFT! LEFT! LEFT RIGHT LEFT! COME ON, YOU WORTHLESS GELDING, LIFT THOSE LEGS AND MARCH!” An utterly terrified Zephyr Breeze dressed in full guard armor was being marched down the street by Moonwhisper while the latter bellowed in his ear. “I HAVE YOUR WORTHLESS RUMP FOR SIX WEEKS, AND CELESTIA HELP ME I WILL TURN YOU INTO A SOLDIER IN THAT TIME IF IT KILLS YOU! AND THAT STARTS WITH TEACHING YOU TO MARCH! AM I UNDERSTOOD?”
“Sir, yes sir,” Zephyr Breeze practically sobbed.
“WAS THAT AN ANSWER? I COULD NOT HEAR YOU, GELDING. NOW, ANSWER ME LIKE YOU MEAN IT!”
“Sir, yes sir! SIR, YES SIR!” Zephyr Breeze shouted as though his life depended on it.
“BETTER. NOW, ONCE WE HAVE COMPLETED FIVE MORE LAPS AROUND THE TOWN WE WILL MOVE ON TO WEAPON DRILLS. NOW, KEEPING MARCHING!”
As the rest of Fluttershy’s friends stared as Moonwhisper continued to march Zephyr Breeze down the street, Fluttershy took another sip of her tea before letting out a contented sigh. “It really is a lovely day today.”